Drinking trough for animals



Nov. 13, 1934; G -SCHNHDER 1,9o,64 o

` DRINKING THOUGH FOR ANIMALS Filed Jan. 23, 1934 mun l Patented Nov. 13, v1934 UNTED STATES PATENr ori-lee Application January 23, 1934, Serial No. 707,986 In Germany November 12, 1932 12 Claims.

My invention relates to a drinking trough for animals in which the animal itself can open the valve admitting water to the trough by means of a plate pivoted against the action of a spring..

The automatic drinking troughs of this nature which have hitherto been proposed are for the most part so constructed that the valve opens against the pressure of the water and a spring disposed in the valve housing merely serves as a safety measure for ensuring the closure when the plate is released. This construction has the great disadvantage that it cannot be adapted to water pressures of different magnitude because a small water pressure necessitates a large open- 15'. ing of the valve whereas if the water pressure come too great a pressure in opening the valve.

A further disadvantage of this construction resides in that the spring serving for closing the valve is rapidly destroyed by the action of the water when it is accommodated within the valve housing and if it is disposed outside the valve housing then it is rapidly destroyed by the action of the local atmosphere which invariably contains ammonia. This construction also exhibits the disadvantage that the valve closes too rapidly under the action of the water pressure so that water hammering is liable to occur in the pipe which in accordance with its violence may lead to damage to the pipe and may also frighten the animals. On the other hand an automatic drinking trough is also known in which the pivotal plate constitutes an extension of a valve cap screwed on the valve seating and releasing the valve body when rotated. In this case the valve certainly opens in the direction of the current but only to a comparatively small extent because the angle of movement of the plate is definitely limited and consequently in its movement the valve cap travels only a short distance in the axial direction along the thread of the valve seating. In addition the motion along the thread becomes impeded in time due to corrosion. This arrangement has also been constructed Without the use of a spring in that the restoration of the valve cap into the closed position is effected by means of a cover which is disposed on the vessel and is released bythe animal after drinking. In this case however the advantage of dispensing with springs is counteracted by the disadvantage that the trough can overflow if the animal does not allow the cover to drop after drinking.

The automatic drinkingtrough according to the invention is differentiated from these prior proposals in that a shaft carrying the pivotal plate is spring urged against a xed oblique surface along which it slides when the plate is pivoted and thus is displaced in its longitudinal direction to release the valve. In this case as in the last mentioned of the known constructions the opening of the valve occurs in the direction of the current but in accordance with the inclination of the oblique surface to a correspondingly large extent even lwith comparatively small movement of the plate so that in this case the valve is opened to a large extent. On the other hand in order that with a large water pressure it should 7o not be necessary to use `too powerful a spring a reducing connection is provided on the valve housing by means of which the Water pressure against the valve plate and 'the quantity of water iiowing is correspondingly modified. Further a device is also provided for controlling the magnitude of the displacement of the shaft. In addition according to a further feature of the invention the plate is readily removable in that for example -it is secured to the shaft in a claw-like manner so that by removing the platethe drawing of water can be completely prevented, this condition being immediately apparent according as to whether a plate is present or not. In order that the device should be sufficiently strong to withstand the pressures exerted by the animals, which pressures are often very large, the shaft is provided at the end remote from the valve housing with a thrust bearing arranged on the wall of the trough and in order that the restoring spring should be protected against the action both of water and of the local atmosphere, it is accommodated in a housing Which may be filled with grease or the like and which preferably is located at the end of the shaft remote from the valve housing. This spring housing may constitute a component of the shaft.

In the accompanying drawing one embodiment of a drinking trough constructed in accordance with the invention and showing certain details not previously referred to is illustrated by way of example. I

Fig. 1 shows a longitudinal section.

Fig. 2 shows a transverse section along the line II-II in Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 shows a detail in the open position of the valve.

Figs. 4 and 5 show detail views partially in cross section of the adjustable joint connecting the plate to the valve shaft.

rI'he valve housing b with valve plate e and downwardly directed outlet d is secured to the left hand wall, Fig. 1, of the drinking trough vwhich may be provided in the usual Way with a pivotal cover i: which has to be lifted by the animal. At b the valve housing b` is divided transversely to the valve stem e', i. e., parallel to the valve plate e. At the4 end remote from the wall of the trough the valve housing has one or more oblique surfaces m, and a shaft c carrying a plate h abuts against these oblique surfaces. The valve stem e1 projects through the valve housing b and passes into a corresponding recess in the shaft c. As shown more particularly in Fig. 2 the plate h extends obliquely downwardly into the trough a and is secured to the shaft c by means of a collar portion h at the upper end. of the plate h which is provided with a longitudinal groove h extending throughout the entire length of the collar portion h. By means of this groove h the plate h can be easily withdrawn from the shaft c. To secure the plate h to the shaft c for example a joint n may be providedivhich comprises radial projections or lugs n extending from the shaft c` and corresponding radial grooves n in the collar portion h. As indicated more par-- ticularly in Fig. 5 several such radial grooves may be provided in the collar portion h at different angles whereby the plate h can be adjusted at various inclinations. The projections n and the grooves n may be held in interlocking position by means of a wing nut o on shaft c which engages with the collar portion h. Beyond the plate h, the shaft c is extended by a sheath i threadedly engaged with the shaft and accommodating a spring r. A nut g on the shaft c serves as a washer to Yprevent any admission of air or water into the inside of the sleeve i and to lock the sleeve against any undesired movement thereof in the direction f of the spring action of spring 1*.A Tightly but slidingly fitting in the sleevez is a base member p terminating in a ball k which constitutes the end of the shaft c and is mounted in a thrust bearing u secured on the side of the trough opposite to the valve housing and is closed by a nut s. By adjusting this nutthe degree of motion of the sleeve i and thus ofthe shaft c towards the right in Fig. 1 and thus the stroke of the valve plate e is limited. On the other hand by adjusting the position of the base member p on the shaft c with respect to the sleeve z' by means ofthe nut g the tension of the spring r can be regulated.l In consequence of this ball end the shaft c automatically adapts yitself to any irregularities in the trough a. With high water pressure the force acting on the valve plate e andthe quantity of water flowing through the valve'can be correspondingly reduced by means of a reduction piece v incorporated in the connection to the valve housing b and against one end of which the valve plate e abuts and which can be exchanged for elements of a greater or smaller internal diameter.

Thus the mode of operation of the device is as j follows:

the animal releases the plate h the valve e is,

automatically closed again by the spring r. I n

consequence of its considerable spacing from the valve and due to being accommodated in the sleeve i which if desired may be filled with grease the spring is protected against any corrosion. By altering the inclination of the plate it is also possible to control the extent to which Water is admitted into the trough. Instead of altering the inclination of the plate h it Would for example be possible to effect this regulation by means of removable abutments secured to the plate h.

If it should be desired to prevent the cattle from drinking then this can be done by screwingy the nut s into contact with sleeve i in the closed position of the valve as shown in Fig. l. In this case however it would be possible for an animal to exert an excessive force on the plate h and it is thus better" to adjust the nut s to the correct position corresponding to the Water pressure and to prevent drinking by removing the plate h from the shaft c after releasing the wing nut o. vDue to the claw-like engagement of the plate h with the shaft c this can readily be done.

I claim:

1. A drinking trough for animals comprising in combination with a trough, a water inlet, means for closing said inlet comprising a valve, said valve being movablein the direction of the water current flowing through said inlet to open the same, means for operating said valve comprising a stationary element having a cam surface, a longitudinally slidable shaft in operating engagement with saidvalve, and an element on said shaft having a complementary cam surface engaging the` cam `surface of said stationary element, means within said trough operable by the animal forr'otating said second vcam element with respect to said stationary elementfor moving said shaft in the opening direction of said valve to permit the valve to open, and means for normally retaining said valve in closed position.

2. A drinking troughfor animals comprising inv combination with 'a trough, a water inlet, means for closing said inlet comprising a valve, said valve being movable in the direction of the lwater current flowing through said inletto open the same, means for operating said valve and means for normally retaining said valve `in closed position, said means comprising a spring, and a spring housing completely enclosing said 'spring and shielding the same.

3. A drinking trough for animals comprising in combination with a trough, a water inlet, means for closing said inlet comprising a valve, said valve being movable in the direction of the water current flowing through said inlet to open the same, means for operating said valve and means for normally retaining said valve in closed posivalve casing having a cam surface, a longitudinally slidable shaft in operative engagement with said closure element, and a portion on said shaft in slidable operative engagement with said cam surface, means within said trough operable by the animal for rotating said portion on said shaft with respect to said valve casing for moving said shaft in the opening direction of said valve to permit the valve to open, and means for normally retaining said valve in closed position.

5. A drinking trough for animals comprising in combination with a trough, a water inlet, means for closing said inlet comprising a valve, said valve being movable in the direction of the water current flowing through said inlet to open the same and comprising a stationary valve casing, and a valve closure element, means for operating said closure element comprising a portion on said valve casing having a cam surface, a longitudinally slidable shaft in operative engagement with said closure element, and a portion on said shaft in operative engagement with said cam'surface, means within said trough operable by the animal for rotating said portion on said shaft with respect to said valve casing for moving said shaft in the opening direction of said valve to permit the valve to open, means for normally retaining said valve in closed position comprising a spring in operative engagement with said shaft, a housing around said spring for sealing it against the influence of the surrounding atmosphere or water, and means to adjust the strength of said spring.

6. A drinking trough for animals comprising in combination with a trough, a water inlet, means for closing said inlet comprising a valve, said valve being movable in the direction of the water current flowing through said inlet to open the same and comprising a stationary valve casing, and a valve closure element, means for operating said closure element comprising a portion on said valve casing having a cam surface, a longitudinally slidable shaft in operative engagement with said closure element, and a portion on said shaft in operative engagement with said cam surface, means within said trough operable by the animal for rotating said portion on said shaft with respect to said valve casing for moving said shaft in the opening direction of said valve to permit the valve to open, means for normally retaining said valve in closed position comprising a spring in operative engagement with said shaft, a housing around said spring for sealing it against the influence of the surrounding atmosphere or water, means to adjust the strength of said spring, and

`means for rotatably and slidably supporting said shaft.

7. A drinking trough for animals comprising in combination with a trough, a water inlet, means for closing said inlet comprising a valve, said valve being movable in the direction of the water current owing through said inlet to open the same and comprising a stationary Valve casing, and a valve closure element, means for operating said closure element comprising a portion on said valve casing having a cam surface, a longitudinally slidable shaft in operative engagement with said closure element, and a portion on said shaft in operative engagement with said cam surface, means within said trough operable by the animal lfor rotating said portion on said shaft with respect to said valve casing for moving said shaft in the opening direction of said valve to permit the valve to open, means for normally retaining said valve in closed position comprising a spring in operative engagement with said shaft, a housing around said spring for sealing it against the influence of the surrounding atmosphere or water, and means to adjust the strength of said spring, means for rotatably and slidably support- .ing said shaft, comprising a bearing at the end of said shaft remote from said valve casing and comprising a socket, 'said shaft terminating in said socket and sliding therein, a ball at the end of said socket, and a ball socket, said ball rotating in said ball socket.

8. A drinking trough for animals comprising in combination with a trough, a water inlet, means for closing said inlet comprising a valve, said valve being movable in the direction of the Water current flowing through said inlet to open the same and comprising a stationary valve casing, and a valve closure element, means for operating said closure element comprising a portion on said valve casing having a cam surface, a longitudinally slidable shaft in operative engagement with said closure element, and a portion on said shaft in operative engagement With said cam surface,

means within said trough operable by the animalv for rotating said portion on said shaft with respect to said valve casing for moving said shaft in the opening direction of said valve to permit the valve to open, means for normally retaining said valve in closed position comprising a spring in operative engagement with said shaft, a housing around said spring for sealing it against the influence of the surrounding atmosphere or water, and means to adjust the strength of said spring, means for rotatably and slidably supporting said shaft, comprising a bearing at the end of said shaft remote from said valve casing and comprising a socket, said shaft terminating in said socket and sliding therein, a ball at the end of saidsocket, and a ball socket, said ball rotating in said ball socket, and adjustable means retaining said ball within said ball socket and limiting the extent of the opening movement of said valve.

9. A drinking trough for animals comprising in combination with a trough, a water inlet, means for closingV said inlet comprising a valve, said Valve being movable in the direction of the water current flowing through said inlet to open the same and comprising a stationary valve casing, and a valve closure element, means for operating said closure element comprising a portion on said valve casing having a cam surface, a longitudinally slidable shaft in operative engagement with said closure element, and a portion on said shaft in operative engagement with said cam surface, means within said trough operable by the animal for rotating said portion on said shaft with respect to said valve casing for moving said shaft in the opening direction of said valve to permit the valve to open, means for normally retaining said valve in closed position comprising a spring in operative engagement with said shaft, a housing around said spring for sealing it against the influence of the surrounding atmosphere or water, and means to adjust the strength of said spring, means for rotatably and slidably supporting said shaft, comprising a bearing at the end of said shaft remote from said valve casing and comprising a socket, said shaft terminating in said socket and sliding therein,'a ball at the end of said socket, and a ball socket, said ball rotating in said ball socket, and adjustable means retaining said ball within said ball socket and limiting the extent of the opening movement of said valve, said means comprising a screw cap engaging with said socket and limiting the displacement of said spring housing when said valve is opened.

10. A drinking trough for animals comprising in combination with a trough, a water inlet, means for closing said inlet comprising a. valve, said Valve being movable in the direction of the lift iso

.gaging the cam water current flowing through said inlet to open the same, means for operating said valve comprising a stationary element having a cam surface, a longitudinally slidable shaft in operating engagement with said valve, and an element on said shaft having a complementary cam surface engaging the cam surface of said stationary element, means within saidtrough operable by the animal for rotating said second cam element with respect to said stationary element for moving said shaft in the opening direction of said valve to permit the valve to open, said means comprising a plate, means for adjustably securing said plate to said shaft at any one of a plurality of different inclinations and'for easilyy removing said plate therefrom, and means for normally retaining said valve in closed position.

11. AA drinking trough for animals comprising in combination with a trough, a water inlet, means for closing said inlet comprising a valve, said valve being movable in the direction of the Water current flowing through said inlet to open the same, means for operating said valve comprising a stationary element having a cam surface, a lonj gitudinally slidable shaft in operating engagement with said valve, and an element on said shaft having a complementary cam surface ensurface of said stationary element, means Within said trough operable by the j; animal for rotating said second cam element with respect to said stationary element for moving said shaft in the opening direction of said Valve to permit the valve to open, said means comprising a plate, means for removably securing said plate to said shaft, said means on said plate comprising a collar having a longitudinal groove therein extending toward the base of said collar whereby said collar may be slipped over said shaft, cooperating means on said shaft and said collar for adjustably securing said collar to said shaft'iat any one of a number of different inclinations, and means for normally retainingsaid Valve in closed position. i

412. A drinking trough for animals comprising in combination with a trough, a Water inlet, means for closing said inlet comprising a Valve, said valve being movable in the direction of the Water current owing through said inlet to open the same, means for operating said valve comprising a stationary element having a cam surface, a longitudinally slidable shaft in operating engagement with said valve, and an element on said shaft having a complementary cam surface engaging the cam surface of said stationary element, means Within said trough operable by the animal for rotating said second cam element with respectto said stationary element for moving said shaft in the opening direction of said valve to permit the Valve to open, said means comprising a plate, means for removably securing said plate to said shaft, said means on said plate comprising a collar having a longitudinal groove therein extending toward the base of said collar whereby said collar may be slipped over said shaft, oooperating means on said shaft and said collar for adj ustably securing said collar to said shaft at any one of a number of different inclinations, said means comprising projections'on said shaft, a

plurality of grooves at one end of said collar opposite said projections whereby at certain positions of said collar some ofV said grooves aline and engage with said projections, locking ymeans threadedly connected With said shaft and acting" on the other end of said collar for retaining said projections in said grooves and said collar in its relative positionto said shaft, and meansl for normally retaining said valve in closed position.

- GEORG SCHNEIDER. 

